2025 Club World Cup: check all matches and times for the group stage

The 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, set to begin on June 14 in the United States, will feature 32 clubs in a new format with eight groups of four teams. Four Brazilian teams—Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo—are among the participants, facing giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG. The tournament, running until the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, promises thrilling group-stage clashes, with dates and times already set. The schedule, released in December 2024, outlines matches across 12 stadiums, including iconic venues like Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This expanded tournament aims to crown the world’s best club in a month of intense competition.

Palmeiras kicks off the Brazilian campaign against Porto, while Botafogo faces Seattle Sounders on the same day, June 15. The following day, Flamengo takes on Espérance, and Fluminense debuts against Borussia Dortmund on June 17. Each club will play three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the round of 16.

• Key initial dates: Opening on June 14 with Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly; Brazilians debut between June 15 and 17.
• Notable venues: MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and Rose Bowl host matches.
• Format: 32 teams, eight groups, knockout rounds starting June 28.

Hosted in the USA, the tournament reflects football’s growing globalization, with representatives from every continent. Below, the details of the matches and what to expect from the Brazilians and other giants.

Brazilian teams’ opening matches
Palmeiras, in Group A, faces Porto on June 15 at 7 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Coached by Abel Ferreira, the team will tackle a tactical challenge against the defensively solid Portuguese side. Next, they meet Al Ahly, Africa’s most decorated club, on June 19 at 1 p.m. at the same venue. The group stage wraps up against Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, on June 23 at 10 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Botafogo, in Group B, starts against Seattle Sounders on June 15 at 11 p.m. at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Libertadores champions face a tough group with PSG and Atlético de Madrid. Their clash with the French side is set for June 19 at 10 p.m. at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, followed by Atlético de Madrid on June 23 at 4 p.m. at the same stadium.

Flamengo and Fluminense also have packed schedules. The Rubro-Negro, in Group D, debuts against Espérance from Tunisia on June 16 at 10 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Fluminense, in Group F, takes on Borussia Dortmund on June 17 at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. These opening games will be crucial for setting the tone for the Brazilian teams.

Groups and heavyweight opponents
The 32 clubs are split into eight groups, ensuring competitive balance through Fifa’s draw. Each group includes teams from different confederations, guaranteeing diverse matchups. Palmeiras is in Group A with Porto, Al Ahly, and Inter Miami. Botafogo faces PSG, Atlético de Madrid, and Seattle Sounders in Group B.

• Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, and Auckland City.
• Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Espérance, and León.
• Group E: River Plate, Inter Milan, Monterrey, and Urawa Red Diamonds.
• Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
• Group G: Manchester City, Juventus, Wydad Casablanca, and Al Ain.
• Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg.

The presence of clubs like Manchester City, the current world champion, and Real Madrid, the Champions League record holder, raises the tournament’s stakes. Al-Hilal, coached by Jorge Jesus, emerges as a strong Asian contender with players like Rúben Neves and João Cancelo.

Venues and stadiums
Matches will be played across 12 stadiums in the United States, many known for hosting NFL games and major events. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami opens the tournament with Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the final and key matches, including Palmeiras and Fluminense’s debuts.

Other venues include the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, hosting Group B games, and Lumen Field in Seattle, Botafogo’s opening stage. The choice of venues highlights the USA’s robust infrastructure for global sporting events, with capacity for thousands of fans worldwide.

Tournament format and rules
The 2025 Club World Cup adopts a format similar to the Fifa World Cup, with a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Each team plays three matches in the first phase, from June 14 to 26. The top two from each group advance to the round of 16, scheduled for June 28 to July 1.

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The quarterfinals take place on July 4 and 5, with semifinals on July 8 and 9. The final, on July 13, will crown the world champion. Ties in knockout matches go to extra time and, if needed, penalties. No third-place match will be played, a change from previous editions.

Brazilian teams’ preparations
The four Brazilian clubs enter the tournament with high expectations. Palmeiras, with a seasoned squad and international experience, relies on Abel Ferreira’s leadership to navigate Group A. Botafogo, fresh off their Libertadores title, faces a “group of death” but trusts their defensive solidity and players like Tiquinho Soares.

Flamengo, in Group D, will tackle Chelsea, a European powerhouse, and Espérance, a competitive African side. Fluminense faces Borussia Dortmund, the Champions League runner-up, in a matchup that will test their squad’s depth.

Players to watch
The tournament will showcase some of football’s biggest stars. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi will be the main attraction, especially against Palmeiras. PSG boasts Kylian Mbappé, while Real Madrid features Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham.

• Brazilian standouts: Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras), Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), and Tiquinho Soares (Botafogo).
• International stars: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Al Ahly), and Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich).
• Emerging talents: Lamine Yamal (potential Real Madrid call-up) and Endrick (Palmeiras or Real Madrid).

These players are set to elevate the tournament’s technical level, drawing global attention.

Event logistics and organization
Fifa has planned the tournament meticulously to ensure a seamless experience for players and fans. Each club can register up to 35 players, with 26 eligible per match. Two yellow cards result in an automatic suspension, with the count reset in the quarterfinals.

The stadiums meet international standards, with an average capacity of 60,000 spectators. Broadcasts will be handled by channels like SporTV, Disney+, and FIFA+, ensuring global reach. Sponsors such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America underscore the event’s magnitude.

Brazilian teams’ match schedule
The Brazilians face a packed group-stage schedule:

• Palmeiras: Porto (06/15, 7 p.m.), Al Ahly (06/19, 1 p.m.), Inter Miami (06/23, 10 p.m.).
• Botafogo: Seattle Sounders (06/15, 11 p.m.), PSG (06/19, 10 p.m.), Atlético de Madrid (06/23, 4 p.m.).
• Flamengo: Espérance (06/16, 10 p.m.), Chelsea (06/20, 3 p.m.), León (06/24, 10 p.m.).
• Fluminense: Borussia Dortmund (06/17, 1 p.m.), Ulsan Hyundai (06/21, 7 p.m.), Mamelodi Sundowns (06/25, 4 p.m.).

These matchups will be decisive for the Brazilian clubs’ aspirations.

Tournament trivia
The 2025 edition marks the first with 32 teams, a leap from the previous seven-club format. The USA as host aligns with Fifa’s strategy to grow football in North America, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The draw was designed to avoid same-confederation matchups in the group stage, except for Uefa teams.